Niger: Tiani replaces chief of army staff

Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani has appointed Brigadier General Mahaman Sani Kiaou as the new chief of army staff, replacing Major General Moussa Salaou Barmou, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense released on Friday, September 11.

Prior to this appointment, Mahaman Sani Kiaou was leading the army’s general staff. The change was formalized by presidential decree and is accompanied by several other shifts within the upper military hierarchy.

Brigadier General Abdourahmane Abou Zataka has been appointed to lead the army, while Brigadier General Ismael K. Sidi Omar K. becomes the deputy chief of air staff, and Colonel Major Ibrahim Abderrazak Ben is named deputy chief of army staff.

No official reason has been provided for the replacement of Moussa Salaou Barmou, who had held the position of chief of army staff since the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland took power in July 2023.

The reshuffle comes less than two weeks after the events of August 28 and 29 in Niamey, which authorities described as an attempted destabilization. However, available communications do not explicitly link these events to the change in military leadership.

Before his appointment, Mahaman Sani Kiaou was conducting a tour of army units within the country, particularly in the regions of Agadez and Zinder.